Owens-Illinois (O-I) has named Vitaliano Torno as Managing Director of O-I Europe, effective immediately.
Torno succeeds Erik Bouts as the most senior level executive for O-I in Europe and will report to Andres Lopez, President of Glass Containers and Chief Operating Officer.
As the head of O-I's largest region, Torno will continue shepherding the company through its long-term asset optimisation programme.
Torno has worked in the glass industry for more than 25 years. He served as general manager of O-I's operations in central Europe (Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary) in the late 1990s, and in Italy in the early 2000s.
Following O-I's acquisition of BSN in 2004, Torno was named Vice President of Sales and Business Development for O-I Europe.
After serving in several commercial leadership roles for the region, he was named Vice President of O-I's European country organisation, a role he will maintain in his new position.
"Vitaliano has a broad understanding of the European markets and customers, and has a strong background in the glass industry," said Al Stroucken, O-I chairman and CEO.
"He served as an architect of the recent restructuring in the region, so we expect he will continue the strong momentum we are experiencing in that region."
O-I's European business comprises 8,000 employees in 10 countries.
With more than $2.8 billion (€2.1 billion) of sales in 2013, the region represents approximately 40% of the company's global sales.
